Frequently Asked Questions

FAQ

No, we do not do consignment. We buy pianos outright and occasionally trade them in, depending on the quality and condition of the instrument.

I have an antique upright. Will you take it off my hands?

The best answer is sometimes. Many antique uprights on the market today require major repairs and refinishing work before we can get them in good enough condition for resale. Also, because there are so many people on Craigslist willing to give their pianos away, it’s tougher to sell the uprights in our store. However, if we find a piano with real potential and minimal upfront costs, we’ll take it free of charge. Otherwise we’ll move it to the Goodwill, Salvation Army or Deseret Industries for the appropriate moving charges. Pianoadoption.com is another great resource. If all other avenues have been exhausted, we will take it to the dump for the standard moving costs with an additional dump fee.

Do you have digital pianos?

No, we only carry acoustic pianos. Kennelly Keys has digital pianos you can rent on a monthly basis or for an event. The Trading Musician in Ravenna is another great place to look.

Do you sell piano stools/blankets/dollies/etc.?

The only thing we sell is caster cups. Our moving crew has a small supply with them on the truck and pricing starts at $50.00 for a set. We may order other items for our customers, but it can be better to go directly through a vendor like Pacific Piano Supply.

What about sheet music?

We don’t carry sheet music. Kennelly Keys or Capitol Music both have a great selection.

Are there any teachers you can recommend?

None specifically, but there are a number of piano teachers that advertise in our store. You can also go to the Seattle Music Teachers Association’s website: seattlemta.org. From there, you can search piano teachers by area, skill level, even genre. It’s a great tool to find a teacher that’ll match your style.

Which piano is better?

This seems like a straightforward question. In reality, it’s incredibly hard to answer because of how subjective it really is. Let’s say you’re looking at two pianos. From a monetary standpoint, the better piano is obviously the one that will have a better resale value down the road, even if it’s a bit more money now. Or maybe it’s the one that’s a better deal right now. You play the cheaper one and don’t like the way it feels. Suddenly the more expensive piano seems better. But when you play on the more expensive piano, the sound isn’t very appealing and you realize the cheaper one sounds better. But what about the brand on the more expensive piano? You know it’s a popular brand, so that must mean it’s better, right? Unfortunately, it’s not so simple to answer. In a more general sense, the “better” piano will be the piano that most closely suits your tastes. Read here for tips on how to find the piano that’s right for you.

What's the best place to put a piano?

On an inside wall, preferably away from windows where it may get sun damage. It’s also good to keep them away from heat vents or doors that open to the outside, as temperature fluctuations will cause the piano to go out of tune much faster. You may put your piano in the basement, as long as it doesn’t have moisture problems and it stays roughly the same temperature as the rest of the house.

When I sit at the piano my legs don’t fit underneath. What can I do? Is there a shorter bench?

The piano keyboard is usually 24 – 25 inches off the ground. Based off that, benches are usually kept to the standard size of 19 inches. Every once in a while, you get a keyboard that’s a bit lower than 24 inches, and that’s when you run into the problem of leg room. There’s a simple solution that doesn’t involve replacing the bench. When you sit down to play, simply pull the bench out until you can sit with your legs comfortably reaching the pedals. With arms fully outstretched, you should still have no problem reaching the keys.

I'd like to store my piano in the garage for a few weeks. Will it be okay there?

It’s fine to store your piano in the garage for a few weeks as long as your garage’s temperature stays above 60°F. If it’s going to be longer than that, or if the temperature in the garage fluctuates widely, I would recommend calling our office and having it brought to our heated storage space.

How do the movers move the piano?

The movers have an array of specialized equipment and years of experience that they utilize to help them move your piano efficiently and safely. They use piano dollies, fitted boards, ramps, plywood planking, blankets and much more. How they choose to move your piano and what equipment they use is always dependent on what they think will work best for the given situation.

What if it rains?

Not to worry! The Puget Sound is a rainy place and our movers have plenty of experience moving in heavy rain and even snow. They prefer not to because it makes the moving process much easier, but they have the knowledge and expertise to handle less than ideal weather.

Can you move my piano to another state?

No, we are only licensed to move within the state of Washington. If you need an interstate move, call Walter Piano Transport (574-674-6139).

Why is the total for my move more than my estimate?

We are sure to provide a more accurate estimate if we know as much as possible about these issues. We really recommend you share these things with us when you request an estimate over the phone or on our website. Also, we charge for the entire time we’re at our job sites. Therefore, we recommend that you provide two phone numbers so we can easily reach you. If you’re running late or can’t make it, please call us promptly and note that it is possible to have friends or family members meet us instead.

Is it customary to tip movers? How much?

Our movers do accept tips and appreciate whatever you feel is suitable.